TOYOTA Motors Philippines Corp. (TMP) unveiled the Tamaraw Modern Public Utility Vehicle (MPUV) at the company’s headquarters and manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, on Tuesday, expanding the role of locally made vehicles in public transportation.
“Today, we add an important missing piece: a jeepney. By becoming part of everyday public transportation, the Tamaraw becomes a true national car — a vehicle for all Filipinos and visitors to the Philippines,” TMP President Masando Hashimoto said.Earlier this year, the vehicle received certification from the Department of Transportation as a Class 1 MPUV under the government’s public transport modernization program.TMP Senior Vice President Sherwin Chua-Lim said pre-selling for the Tamaraw MPUV began in September, with strong interest from the transport sector.However, he noted that members of the transport sector are still looking at financing options and government subsidies.TMP Chairman Alfred Ty said they aimed to sell 15 units of the Tamaraw MPUV per month, with plans to increase depending on the demand.While P5.5 billion has already been invested, he noted that further capital expenditure for conversion remains flexible based on market demand.The MPUV adds to the list of applications for the Tamaraw, which includes ambulances, patrol vehicles, fire trucks, food trucksand community shuttles.With its Class 1 certification, the Tamaraw MPUV may service 11 passengers for inter-city travels.Toyota said it developed the MPUV model considering the feedback of transport operators, cooperatives, local government units and government agencies.“We cannot do this alone. We need all of you — our government partners, suppliers, body builders, dealers, transport operators, and cooperatives,” Hashimoto said.The one-ton cab-over Tamaraw MPUV is expected to provide transport operators and cooperatives with a mobility solution supported by Toyota’s standards for quality, durability and reliability, together with its nationwide network of after-sales service providers.Toyota said the rollout of the MPUV would also create work outside the company’s workforce, particularly for vehicle designers, body builders, fabricators and parts suppliers.Hashimoto highlighted the significance of the Tamaraw, especially with the 70th year of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan this year.“Seeing a vehicle from a Japanese brand, built here by Filipinos, take the form of a jeepney, is a meaningful expression of that friendship,” he said.
